American Journal Of Philological Sciences
286
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue06 2025
PAGE NO.
286-289
10.37547/ajps/Volume05Issue06-75
Realism and The Rise of The Novel in Victorian
Literature: A Study of Narrative Method, Social
Commentary and Genre Evolution
Akhmedova G.Kh.
PhD student, Fergana State University, Uzbekistan
Received:
27 April 2025;
Accepted:
23 May 2025;
Published:
25 June 2025
Abstract:
This article constructively explores the emergence and development of realism in Victorian literature,
particularly within the novel genre. It provides insight into the socio-political context of the period and discusses
the creative methodologies utilized by influential writers like Charles Dickens, George Eliot and the Bronte sisters.
By examining the transition from romantic to realist narrative modes, the study highlights the significant
contributions of Victorian novels in portraying complex social realities and giving a voice to marginalized groups.
Furthermore, it underscores how these works contributed to the moral and intellectual development of society.
The paper also reflects on how the genre’s formal features, such as scope, character complexity, and length,
effectively mirror the broader cultural transformations occurring in 19th-century Britain, fostering a deeper
understanding of the literary landscape of the time.
Keywords:
Realism, Victorian literature, novel, genre, character complexity, the literary landscape, narrative
techniques, artistic discourse, English literature.
Introduction:
The Victorian era has been the subject of
thorough analysis within global literary studies,
particularly regarding its extensive output of novels and
the narrative techniques employed. The reign of Queen
Victoria (1837
–
1901) is marked by significant
modernization and relative affluence within British
society. Literary critic David Mitchell highlights this
period as one of unprecedented industrial, economic,
and social growth, which not only elevated living
standards but also fostered the expansion of
democratic principles. Such a transformative backdrop
inevitably shaped literary production, prompting
writers to confront and engage with critical socio-
political issues of their time.
As a result, it is clear from the content and underlying
intentions of many writers who were active during this
period that their works brought pressing socio-political
issues to the forefront. Indeed, Victorian literature,
grounded in the principle of depicting reality truthfully
and rich in works written in the realist style, ushered in
a new phase in English literature. The realist novels of
the time explored major contemporary social issues
through artistic discourse, offering comprehensive
portrayals of British society, transforming lived
experience into artistic truth, and encouraging changes
in people’s way of life. These works often called for
resistance against the discrimination faced by women
in society. The literature of this period, especially its
novels, exhibits a pronounced dedication to realism,
offering intricate depictions of everyday life while
simultaneously
critiquing
systemic
injustices
entrenched in society. Scholars like John Sutherland
have lauded this era as the “golden age of Engli
sh
literature,” recognizing its artistic innovation and
ideological complexity. The Victorian novel emerged as
a powerful medium through which authors articulated
responses to the pressing challenges of their day,
including class disparities, gender inequities, and the
pursuit of moral reform.
METHODS
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287
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American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
However, the era under investigation possesses a
number of distinctive features that set it apart from
other literary periods. Scholars who have studied the
literature of this period often highlight one of the
distinctive features of Victorian literature: the fact that
writers initially focused on seemingly modest, relatively
minor social issues. This observation is valid. For
instance, Charles Dickens began by writing in a satirical-
sentimental style, portraying the hopeless daily lives of
ordinary people. Later, in Oliver Twist (1838), he used
the character of Oliver to expose the existence of a
repulsive criminal underworld hidden beneath the
vibrant surface of urban life. Here, Dickens effectively
employed elements of critical realism. In his 1844
novel, David Copperfield, Dickens addressed political
ideologies associated with power, class conflict, and
the problem of social stratification. Though the events
in the novel unfold in the United States, the main
characters are wealthy Englishmen, through whom
Dickens reflects on political attitudes and social class
issues within English society.
Russian scholars U. V. Anikin and N. P. Mukhailyanskaya
note that William Makepeace Thackeray’s mid
-19th-
century novels The History of Henry Esmond, The
Newcomes, and The Book of Snobs artistically depict
societal flaws such as excessive pride, arrogance,
vanity, and a general lack of respect among people. The
Book of Snobs, in particular, stands out for its critical
realism and satirical tone, offering a critique of the
moral contradictions within society.
In the works of the Bronte sisters Jane Eyre, Shirley, and
Mary Barton we find an exploration of women’s real
status in society, the discrimination against women’s
rights, and the divisive effects of religious ideologies
split between evangelical and atheistic worldviews, all
of which are shown to have negatively impacted social
progress. Thus, while the initial focus of Victorian
literature was on social issues, later developments
reveal a deeper concern with political and educational
reforms. These include advocating for safe working
conditions for social reformers, promoting universal
education, and encouraging empathy for the emotional
experiences of the common people, along with a more
honest and perceptive engagement with everyday
reality. These concerns represent some of the defining
features of Victorian literature.
Another significant point raised by scholars is the
relative decline of poetry especially lyrical and epic
poems, which had been dominant genres during the
Romantic period in favor of the novel. English literary
critics George Antoine Caddon and Michael Carter have
acknowledged that “the dominant genre of Victorian
literature was the novel,” and that “the
novel
represented the major achievement of Victorian
literary endeavor, becoming not only the most popular
and prominent genre in England but also in world
literature”. While this view is largely accurate, it is
especially important to emphasize the development of
realism within the novel, particularly the rise of critical
realism. Movements such as Chartism, the increasing
activism of the working class, and the growing
exploitation of children and women in labor forced
writers to adopt a more socially conscious, realistic
narrative approach.
RESULTS
Another important hallmark of this period is the
development of the novel as a literary genre. During
the Victorian era, novels written in a realist mode
gained remarkable influence and scope, stimulating the
interest of ordinary people in literature and intellectual
life. George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans), one of the major
figures of Victorian literature, addressed this in her
novel Adam Bede, stating: “We must be ready to depict
the ordinary aspects of life, and its painful points, with
realism,
credibility,
and,
most
importantly,
compassion.” This quotation clearly reflects Eliot’s
belief shared by her contemporaries that the purpose
of literature is to offer an authentic representation of
the world by depicting complex, realistic life
experiences through believable characters and scenes.
The rapid development of the novel and its emergence
as the most widely read genre is closely connected to
the rise of the middle class and the increasing literacy
rates among the population. The Industrial Revolution
in Britain also left a visible mark on the content and
structure of Victorian novels. These works increasingly
turned away from historical or purely domestic themes
and began portraying the lives of ordinary factory and
mill workers. As a result, writers came to see the
realistic depiction of social and moral values as a core
literary mission. They committed themselves to
illustrating the social issues of the Victorian period, the
dynamics of family life, tensions between the individual
and society, and the relentless pursuit of desire among
the aristocracy all while giving voice to the suffering
and hardships of the poor. Yet, it is important to
acknowledge another significant aspect: although
realism had well-defined ideological aims, traces of
romanticism persisted in many writers’ works. This
blending of romantic and realistic modes occasionally
gave rise to hybrid literary forms, which became a
subject of interest in literary criticism. Some scholars
sought to define realism more rigorously, emphasizing
that writers should strive to perceive nature and
answer philosophical questions using evidence, facts,
and observable detail. However, other authors
continued to represent reality under the lingering
influence of romanticism.
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American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
This phenomenon was first analyzed in detail by the so-
called “Apostles” group and the New Classicists, such as
T. E. Hulme and T. S. Eliot
—
figures who were both
writers and intellectuals. They were among the first to
articulate substantial views on this interplay between
literary traditions.
In fact, the merging of romantic and realistic elements
was not unique to English literature. For example, in
French literature, the idealism, imaginative flights, and
emotional intensity characteristic of romanticism are
also evident in Gustave Flaubert’s realist novel
Madame Bovary. The protagonist, Emma Bovary, is
portrayed as deeply passionate, emotionally intense,
and driven by a yearning for a grand, romantic life.
However, in stark contrast to her temperament, the
other characters surrounding her are depicted as dull,
melancholic, and egotistical. While Emma embodies
the romantic spirit, the novel itself is constructed in a
realist style. Similarly, the character of Charles is drawn
as a romantic poet figure, whereas Philippe represents
realism. These contrasts illustrate the deliberate
combination of romantic and realist elements within
the same work. Indeed, the blending and intersection
of creative methods is a phenomenon frequently
observed in literary processes. The emergence of
realism as a creative method is often evaluated as a
response to the ideals of romanticism. This shift reflects
a conscious departure by writers from the dominant
principles of romanticism. As a result, from the second
half of the 19th century, realism began to take root in
English prose, particularly in the novel. The emphasis
on detailed depictions of events and characters, and
the faithful representation of reality as it is,
distinguished realist narratives from those shaped by
romantic conventions.
DISCUSSION
The findings support the view that realism emerged in
direct response to the idealism of Romanticism.
Whereas Romantic literature favored emotion,
imagination, and individual heroism, Victorian realism
turned toward empirical observation, everyday
struggles, and the portrayal of ordinary individuals. This
shift reflects broader cultural changes, including the
rise of the middle class, increased literacy, and the
influence of the Industrial Revolution on social
consciousness. Unlike romanticism, which emphasized
idealism, realism focused on real-life events, social
issues, and verifiable details. For realist literature, it
was more important to depict the lives of ordinary
people such as laborers and members of the rural
working class than to portray idealized heroes,
aristocrats, or wholly virtuous fictional figures.
Consequently, many writers increasingly sought to
reflect the somber moods of the English populace and
present vivid portraits of rural and working-class
indi
viduals. For example, George Eliot’s Adam Bede is
notable for its portrayal of rural characters, while
Middlemarch explores the diverse fates of individuals
from different social strata. Similarly, the depiction of
the hardships and suffering of the working class in
Charles Dickens’s novels derives its authenticity from
the author’s own difficult childhood experiences.
Another defining feature of realist works is the
frequent presence of tragic endings, reminiscent of
classical tragedy. Such conclusions did not always
appeal to upper-class readers accustomed to the happy
resolutions typical of romantic works. However, realist
writers explained this by linking literature more closely
to real life, where human destinies are varied and often
unpredictable. Take
Dickens’s novels, for instance:
while virtuous characters may eventually find
happiness, those driven by selfishness or lacking in
moral values often face misfortune. Thus, the primary
aim of these works is not necessarily how they end, but
rather the pro
motion of moral development. Dickens’s
Great Expectations serves as a fitting example.
In Great Expectations, Dickens does not focus on the
material success of his characters, but rather on the
disillusionments they face. The protagonist, known as
Pip (short for Philip Pirrip), loses his father at an early
age and is raised by his elder sister, Mrs. Joe Gargery.
At the beginning of the second chapter, the narrator
explains: “My sister, Mrs. Joe Gargery, was more than
twenty years older than I and had established a great
reputation with the neighbors because she had brought
me up ‘by hand.’ Having no idea what the phrase
meant, I supposed that Mrs. Joe was referring to the
strength and hardness of her hands, which she used to
discipline not only me, but also
her husband.”
This passage reveals two key elements: first, the story
is narrated from the perspective of the protagonist,
Philip; second, there is a subtle, almost sarcastic tone
in the realistic depiction. It suggests that Mrs. Joe often
physically disciplined both her husband and brother, a
reflection of her strict nature. She hoped her younger
brother would one day rise to join the ranks of
respectable gentlemen. As a result, Pip grew up to be a
morally conscientious boy, constantly monitoring his
behavior and trying never to act against his conscience.
Thus, in realist novels, the author sets a clear intention:
to construct narratives grounded in believable
developments and lifelike portrayals of character. The
ultimate concern is not the resolution of the plot, but
the message the author conveys to the reader often
centered on ethical awareness and social observation.
CONCLUSION
Victorian literature, especially the realist novel, played
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
289
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
a crucial role in documenting and critiquing 19th-
century British society. Through its detailed
characterizations, focus on social realities, and
departure from romantic idealism, the Victorian novel
became a powerful medium for reform and reflection.
Writers like Dickens and Eliot transformed literature
into a tool of ethical education, while the formal
evolution of the genre reflected broader changes in
readership, class dynamics, and narrative purpose. The
enduring value of Victorian realism lies in its humanism:
its insistence that ordinary lives matter and that
literature must reflect the world truthfully and
responsibly.
REFERENCES
Anikin, U. V., & Mukhailaskaya, N. P. (2001). Social
issues in Victorian literature. Moscow State University
Press.
Bronte, C., Bronte E., & Bronte, A. (Eds.). (2003). The
Brontë Sisters: Selected novels and poems. Oxford
University Press.
Dickens, C. (1998). David Copperfield (G. Gissing, Ed.).
Penguin Classics. (Original work published 1849)
Dickens, C. (2003). Oliver Twist (N. Jones, Ed.). Oxford
University Press. (Original work published 1838)
Eliot, G. (1996). Adam Bede. Penguin Classics.
Flanagan, D. (2012). Realism and romanticism in
nineteenth-century literature. Routledge.
Hartley, J. (2010). Victorian literature and the art of the
novel. Roehampton University Press.
Mitchell, D. (1975). Victorian England: The reign of
Queen Victoria, 1837
–
1901. Thames & Hudson.
Sutherland, J. (1999). The Longman Companion to
Victorian Fiction. Longman.
Thompson, F. M. L. (1990). The rise of Victorian realism.
Cambridge University Press.
